Runtime Problems

[Maia]

Hello. Help! I work for a small nonprofit that needs to publish a CD-ROM version of a very simple single file Filemaker database on an iMac with OS 9.1. I tried to create a runtime version using the instructions from Developer 5.5 Developer's Guide but I couldn't open it on computers without Filemaker on it or even on a PC with Filemaker Developer 5.5 installed. I have reviewed many of the posts back to January but they don't seem to have the answer.

Here is what I did to try to create a PC runtime solution:

I saved a copy of our active database (basically information on how to apply for hundreds of very specialized job listings) on the network swap folder from the iMac and accessed that single file from the PC. I opened it with Developer 5.5 installed on that PC and used Developer Tools program to save it as a runtime solution. Then I transfered that folder back over the network to the iMac to burn it as is onto a CD. Then I tried to open the file on the CD on the PC and it gave me the system error message that filename.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows.

When reviewing the applicable posts from this year, I saw the suggestion/mandate? to save the file using a stuffit type program which I didn't do. I also saw that it won't open directly from the CD so I copied it back to the PC but it didn't work. Do you have to use a stuffit program to install the file on any computer? This solution will need to be installed so that students can access it over a network, or at least directly from the library at each school.

In looking at my runtime solution folder it appears to be missing the primary file icon. There were many dll files created, a help file, and the runtime application icon. No system folder or primary file icon.

I still need to create a few additional files like READ ME or Installation instructions. Do these need to be "bound" to the single database file or can they just be copied into the solution folder?

Sorry to be so detailed but I figure that helps you understand the issues.

Last questions - I just left the file extensions the default usr that came up and the default binding key of 123456 as well. These were used last year on the CD's distributed. Should I make sure that they are different this year. (This should be a stand alone product, not an upgrade to last years version.)

Thanks for any help. I have been designing databases for many years using Filemaker but never needed to use Developer to create products for distribution. Sorry for the basic nature of these questions but I am under a very tight deadline and of course like many nonprofits, we have no money for consultants. Last year many sites could not open the file and the person who did it last year is long gone so I am starting from scratch.

Gratefully,

Maia

[dbruggmann]

As far as I know you have to bind a runtime version for Windows on a PC and for Mac OS on a Mac.

[kenneth2k1]

If I followed the story correctly, I think Maia did bind it on Windows. Did you try to open the runtime after you had bound it on the PC?

All this file moving makes me curious. What I have done in the past is burn one master CD on a Windows machine and then copied that CD on Mac OSX. How are the files being burned? I'm not sure if OS9 burns CDs with HFS, and if so, a pc probably won't read it.

I saw the suggestion/mandate? to save the file using a stuffit type program which I didn't do. I also saw that it won't open directly from the CD so I copied it back to the PC but it didn't work. Do you have to use a stuffit program to install the file on any computer?

You don't need this to open runtimes. I think what this is referring to is Stuffit InstallerMaker (i think that's what it's called). This app allows you to create an installer for the runtime.

In looking at my runtime solution folder it appears to be missing the primary file icon. There were many dll files created, a help file, and the runtime application icon. No system folder or primary file icon.

For a Windows runtime, there should be an .exe file. This is used to execute the runtime. If this is not present, it probably won't work. Go back and re-bind it.

I still need to create a few additional files like READ ME or Installation instructions. Do these need to be "bound" to the single database file or can they just be copied into the solution folder?

If by file you mean like a text doc or something (not FM file), then you can just copy them into the solution folder. If they are FM files, they will have to be bound using the same binding key as the other solution files.

I just left the file extensions the default usr that came up and the default binding key of 123456 as well. These were used last year on the CD's distributed. Should I make sure that they are different this year. (This should be a stand alone product, not an upgrade to last years version.)

Doesn't matter. As long as the old version is obsolete and you will no longer be binding any more of that one.

Hope this helps out.

ken

[BertBoye]

We are distributing our solutions as rum-times and we have found that moving file between different operating system is bad news.

We have 3 computers in a network OS X, OS 9 and Windows XP. When we make the run-time are we coping the whole folder containing the FMP files to the machine that is going to do the binding. We do the same for a 3 operating system and we leave the run-time in the same computer as made it.

Now we make a CD in OS X and we burn the run-time to the CD move the disk to OS9 burn the run-time and to Windows XP. We have found this to be the best way to make sure all operating system can read the CD and the run-time is working. Every time we moved a OS 9 run-time to a PC and burned a cd did it never work.

Good luck

[kenneth2k1]

We are distributing our solutions as rum-times

rum time. Mmmmmmm. Makin me thirsty

[BertBoye]

Opppsss.... typo

[kenneth2k1]

typo, or a slip?

just kidding

[BertBoye]

Dream....Beach, girl and a rum......

[kenneth2k1]

That's where I live, baby!

[BertBoye]

I am out of words!!!San Diego lucky you....

[Steverino]

Is there a way to burn an OS 9 run-time from an OS X computer (which also has OS 9)? I can't figure out if there's a way to open the Developer Tool in OS 9.

[Vaughan]

Did you use the "Classic" installer on the CD to install FMD into MacOS 9?

[Steverino]

It's always the simple things.

Thanks!